This rare gemstone is named after the Russian tsar Alexander II (1818-1881) The very first crystals has been discovered in April 1834 in the emerald mines near the Tokovaya River in the Urals.
The most sensational feature about this stone, echter, is its surprising ability to change its color. Green or bluish-green in daylight, alexandrite turns a soft shade of red, purplish-red or raspberry red in incandescent light. This unique optical characteristic makes it one of the most valuable gemstones of all, especially in fine quality.